Image Sensor Having Multiple Output Ports

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is described that includes an image sensor having a first output port and a second output port. The first output port is to transmit a first image stream concurrently with a second image stream transmitted from the second output port.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of invention pertains generally to the computing sciences,and, more specifically, to an image sensor having multiple output ports.

BACKGROUND

FIG. 1 shows a typical mobile computing system platform 100. As observedin FIG. 1, the computing system platform includes an applicationprocessor 101 having a plurality of general purpose processing cores102_1 through 102_N, a memory controller 103, a graphics processing unit104, an I/O hub 105 and an image signal processor 106 containing aplurality of image signal processing pipelines 107_1, 107_2. Thecomputing system platform also includes a plurality of cameras 108, 109each having a respective image sensor 110, 111. The plurality of cameras108, 109 typically include a front camera and a back camera.

Image data taken by an image sensor is typically provided to an imagesignal processing pipeline. The image signal processing pipeline thenperforms various computations on the image data to generate, e.g., datafor display. The image signal processing pipeline is typicallyimplemented with a pipeline (software, hardware or both) thatconcurrently processes different blocks of image data from the imagesensor. For example, while a first block is being processed by ademosaicing stage, another block may be processed by a noise reductionstage. After an image signal processing pipeline processes data from animage sensor, the processed data may be forwarded to a display or, e.g.,system memory (e.g., by way of a direct-memory-access (DMA) transfer).

Here, each image signal processing pipeline 107_1, 107_2 is dedicated toa particular camera and image sensor. That is, for example, image signalprocessing pipeline 107_1 is dedicated to the processing of image datagenerated by image sensor 110, and, image signal processing pipeline107_2 is dedicated to the processing of image data generated by imagesensor 111.

SUMMARY

An apparatus is described that includes an image sensor having a firstoutput port and a second output port. The first output port is totransmit a first image stream concurrently with a second image streamtransmitted from the second output port.

An apparatus is described that includes means for performing a methodperformed by an image sensor. The apparatus includes means for acceptingconfiguration information for a first image port of an image sensor fora first image type. The apparatus includes means for acceptingconfiguration information for a second image port of the image sensorfor a second image type, the first image type being different than thesecond image type. The apparatus of includes means for generating aplurality of analog signals from a pixel array. The apparatus includesmeans for converting the analog signals into digital pixel values. Theapparatus includes means for transmitting some of the digital pixelvalues from the first output port. The apparatus includes means fortransmitting others of the digital pixel values from the second outputport.

FIGURES

The following description and accompanying drawings are used toillustrate embodiments of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a mobile computing system platform;

FIGS. 2a and 2b show prior art delivery configurations of multiple imagestreams;

FIG. 3 shows an improved mobile computing system platform;

FIGS. 4a through 4d show improved delivery configurations of multipleimage streams that can be implemented on the improved computing systemplatform of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5a through 5c show different image sensor embodiments having morethan one output port;

FIG. 6 shows a methodology that can be performed by the computing systemplatform of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 shows a more general computing system platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A current trend is to enhance computing system imaging capability byintegrating depth capturing into its imaging components. Depth capturingmay be used, for example, to perform various intelligent objectrecognition functions such as facial recognition (e.g., for securesystem un-lock) or hand gesture recognition (e.g., for touchless userinterface functions).

According to one depth information capturing approach, referred to as“time-of-flight” imaging, the computing system emits infra-red (IR)light onto an object and measures, for each of multiple pixels of animage sensor, the time between the emission of the light and thereception of its reflected image upon the sensor. The image produced bythe time of flight pixels corresponds to a three-dimensional profile ofthe object as characterized by a unique depth measurement (Z) at each ofthe different (x,y) pixel locations.

An “RGBZ” image sensor is an appealing solution for achieving bothtraditional image capture and time of flight depth profiling from withina same camera package. An RGBZ image sensor is an image sensor thatincludes different kinds of pixels, some of which are sensitive tovisible light (the RGB pixels) and others of which are used to measuredepth information (the time-of-flight pixels).

In a common implementation, time of flight pixels are designed to besensitive to IR light because, as mentioned above, IR light is used forthe time-of-flight measurement so that the time-of-flight measurementlight does not disturb users and does not interfere with the traditionalimaging functions of the RGB pixels. The time-of-flight pixelsadditionally have special associated clocking and/or timing circuitry tomeasure the time at which light has been received at the pixel. Becausethe time-of-flight pixels are sensitive to IR light, however, they mayalso be conceivably be used (e.g., in a second mode) as just IR pixelsand not time-of-flight pixels (i.e., IR information is captured but atime of flight measurement is not made).

An RGBZ image sensor therefore naturally generates two kinds of videodata streams (an RGB visible image stream and a depth information (Z)stream) each having its own set of streaming characteristics such asframe size, frame structure and frame rate. RGBZ sensors are currentlybeing designed to “fit” into the platform 100 of FIG. 1 in which only asingle image signal processing pipeline is dedicated to a single imagesensor. As such, current RGBZ sensors only contemplate a single outputport and corresponding link through which the different types of outputdata streams need to be multiplexed.

A problem is that the image signal processing pipeline that is dedicatedto the RGBZ sensor is itself required to multiplex its processing of thedifferent data stream types that are generated by the RGBZ sensor. Animage signal image processor is a fairly complex system (typicallyimplemented as a multi-stage pipeline implemented in hardware orsoftware or both), and, as such, its multiplexing between the two datastreams requires a time consuming and performance degrading switchingback and forth between an RGB stream state and a Z stream state.

FIGS. 2a and 2b provide depictions of the different types ofmultiplexing that may transpire on a single link in more detail.According to the “mode switch” multiplexing of FIG. 2a , during a firstset of time periods, a first type of stream 201 (e.g., an RGB videoimage) is transmitted having larger frames of data at a slower framerate, and, during a second set of time periods, a second type of stream202 (e.g., a Z video image) is transmitted having smaller frames ofdata, possibly at a higher frame rate.

Here, it is worthwhile to note that in a typical implementation thedensity of visible light (RGB) pixels on the surface area of the sensoris typically greater than the density of time-of-flight pixels on thesurface area of the sensor. As such, if a nominal window of visible(RGB) pixels is read-out from the sensor and a nominal window oftime-of-flight pixels is read-out from the sensor, the window of visibledata typically contains more data than the window of depth data. If thedifferent image data types are to be streamed over the same link withthe same clocking rate, the visible RGB stream will naturally havelarger frames and a slower frame rate while the depth Z stream willnaturally have smaller frames and possibly a faster frame rate.

With respect to the multiplexing of the two different streams on thesame link as observed in FIG. 2a , the intervening times between thestreams may be quite large on account of the image signal processingpipeline having to switch its configuration state information.Additionally, the sensor typically has to have its internalconfiguration state information (e.g., readout mode, frame size andframe rate) switched as well (typically by programming the sensor'sconfiguration register space).

FIG. 2b depicts another type of multiplexing scheme that can be used ifboth types of streams are in “rapid mode”. Here, frames from the twodifferent streams are interleaved on a frame-by-frame basis, e.g., toensure data from both streams is observable in real time. Rapid modemultiplexing is particularly inefficient because the image signalprocessor (and the sensor) has to switch its state information inbetween every frame it processes.

FIG. 3 shows an improved computing system platform 300. As observed inthe improved computing system platform of FIG. 3, the image sensors 310,311 have more than one output port 313. The different output ports 313of a same image sensor can be used, for example, to transmit thedifferent types of streams from the different types of available imagecapture modes (e.g., a first RGB stream and a second Z stream).Importantly, each image signal processing pipeline 307_1 through 307_4can be dedicated to a specific image sensor output port rather than anentire image sensor. For example, as depicted in FIG. 3, image signalprocessing pipeline 307_1 is coupled to output port 313_1, image signalprocessing pipeline 307_2 is coupled to output port 313_2, image signalprocessing pipeline 307_3 is coupled to output port 313_3 and imagesignal processing pipeline 307_4 is coupled to output port 313_4.

With the arrangement depicted in FIG. 3, each output port can beconfigured to transport only a particular type of stream and eachcorresponding image signal processing pipeline can be configured to onlyprocess that stream. As a consequence, the expensive multiplexingactivity of the image sensor and the image signal processor can beavoided.

Although not specifically drawn in FIG. 3, in an embodiment, each outputport has an associated output link consisting of a number of lanes and,optionally, a clock that times the transmission of the link's data overthe lanes. Depending on the amount of data being transmitted by a link(e.g., the size of the frame), more lanes or fewer lanes may be enabled(e.g., more lanes are enabled for larger frames, fewer lanes are enabledfor smaller frames). Additionally, an output port's link may or may notinclude a transmitted clock signal depending on the application physicallayer interface specification.

FIGS. 4a through 4d show various embodiments of different kinds of imagestreaming possibilities that are possible with the improved architectureof FIG. 3. The discussion of FIGS. 4a through 4d refers mainly toembodiments where a first stream having a larger frame size istransmitted from a first port and a second stream having a smaller framesize is transmitted from a second port.

Although an implementation where the first stream is an RGB video streamand the second stream is a depth Z stream is one possibility, it isbelieved that a number of other possible use cases may fit this generalscenario. Some examples include: 1) the first stream is an RGB videostream and the second stream is a subset (e.g., smaller window or lowerresolution image) of the first stream; 2) the first steam is an RGBvideo stream and the second stream is an IR image stream; 3) the firststream is an RGB video stream and the second stream is a phase focusingstream (e.g., where the second stream is generated from a subset of thepixel array's pixels that detect information used to determine whatdirection the lens of an auto-focusing camera should be moved); 4) thefirst stream is a spatial subset of the image captured at one exposuretime and the second stream is a spatial subset of the image captured atsecond exposure time (e.g., for single-frame HDR captures).

Additionally, it is pertinent to point out that there may even becircumstances where the frame sizes as between the pair of streams arethe same in size or at least comparable in size. For example, the firststream may be composed of the upper or left half of an RGB video imagewhile the second stream may be composed of the lower or right half ofthe same RGB video stream. Here, for example, different lines or rowsfrom the image sensor are essentially multiplexed to different outputports. Such cases may arise, e.g., when the timing or physicalproperties of the image sensor cause the image sensor to generate an RGBimage stream having an overall data rate that is greater than what asingle image signal processor can handle or has been configured tohandle.

It is also pertinent to point out that, for simplicity, the examples ofFIGS. 4a through 4d only refer to two image streams being transmittedover a pair of respective output ports. Other embodiments may beextended to include more than two image streams and/or more than twooutput ports. For example, more than two image streams may beconcurrently generated from a pixel array and each may be transmittedover its own respective output port (e.g., an RGB stream transmittedover a first output pot, a Z stream transmitted over a second outputport, an IR stream transmitted over a third output port and anauto-focusing stream transmitted over a fourth output port).Alternatively or in combination, any particular stream from a pixelarray (e.g., an RGB stream) may have its frames “fanned out” across morethan one output port. Additional comments concerning possibleimplementations beyond two streams and two corresponding output portsare described in more detail below. Also, in each of the embodiments ofFIGS. 4a through 4d , the output ports are drawn as being coupled totheir respective image signal processors. Such coupling may be direct orlogical. In one example of logical coupling, for example, each imagesensor port is assigned a region of system memory space to which itsends its particular output stream, e.g., by direct-memory-access (DMA)transfer that propagates through a peripheral controller on theapplications processor that is physically coupled to the image sensor'soutput port link. The particular image signal processing pipeline thathas been assigned to the sensor output port then receives the data fromsystem memory.

As observed in FIG. 4a , a single image sensor 410 a includes first andsecond output ports 413_1 a, 413_2 a each having its own respective linkthat has been configured to transport a particular type of stream.According to one possible implementation, the first link transmits afirst stream 401 a whose corresponding type corresponds to larger dataframes at a slower frame rate, while, the second link and correspondingsecond type transmits a second stream 402 a having smaller data framesat a faster frame rate. Regarding implementations having more than twooutput ports, note that third, fourth, etc. output streams having theirown image types, frame sizes and frame rates could be generated andtransmitted over their own respective (third, fourth, etc.) outputports.

FIG. 4b shows another configuration in which, like the configuration ofFIG. 4a , the first link transmits larger sized frames at a slower rateand the second link transmits smaller sized frames at a faster rate.However, whereas the approach of FIG. 4a includes simultaneoustransmission of respective frames on different links, by contrast, theapproach of FIG. 4b alternates transmission of frames between the twolinks. Again, regarding implementations having more than two outputports, note that third, fourth, etc. output streams having their ownimage types, frame sizes and/or frame rates could be generated andtransmitted over their own respective (third, fourth, etc.) outputports. In this case each additional stream may introduce additional timebetween frames of a same output port.

Which configuration as between FIGS. 4a and 4b is best implemented maybe a function, for example, of any of system design, system conditions,system settings and/or image sensor design. For instance, although theconfiguration of FIG. 4a is able to transmit the second stream 402 a ata higher frame rate, the same is likely to consume more power and placemore demand on system memory than the approach of FIG. 4b . Moreover,the configuration of FIG. 4a is more easily achieved if the sensor'sinternal design is able to simultaneously generate the two differenttypes of image data that are presented on the two different links. Bycontrast, the configuration of FIG. 4b is more easily achieved if thesensor's internal design is only able to alternate the generation of thetwo different types of image data.

Both of the approaches of FIGS. 4a and 4b may contemplate the use ofdifferent clocks for their respective links. The sensor 410 a, 410 b maygenerate clock signals of different frequency for the pair of links, or,a host (e.g., the applications processor) may provide them. Thedifferent clocks may be unrelated (e.g., generated from different clocksources), or, the clock for the faster frame rate link may be a multipleof the clock used for the slower frame rate link (or the clock for theslower frame rate link may be a divided down version of the clock usedfor the faster frame rate link). As mentioned above, the physical linksthemselves may include their respective clocks as transmit clocks, orthey may omit them, depending on the physical requirements of the linkinterface.

FIGS. 4c and 4d show additional configurations in which the pair oflinks have the same frame rate. As observed in the configuration of FIG.4c , the frames from the different links are transmitted simultaneously.By contrast, as observed in the configuration of FIG. 4d , the framesfrom the different links are transmitted in an interleaved fashion.Regarding implementations having more than two output ports, note thatthird, fourth, etc. output streams having their own image types, framesizes and/or frame rates could be generated and transmitted over theirown respective (third, fourth, etc.) output ports for either of theapproaches of FIGS. 4c and 4d . In this approach of FIG. 4d eachadditional stream may introduce additional time between frames of a sameoutput port.

As with the comparison between the configurations of FIGS. 4a and 4bjust above, the use of either of the configurations of FIGS. 4c and 4dmay be a function of any of system design, system conditions, systemsettings and/or image sensor design. The configuration of FIG. 4c ismore easily achieved if the sensor's internal design is able tosimultaneously generate two different types of image data. By contrast,the configuration of FIG. 4d is more easily achieved if the sensor'sinternal design is only able to alternate the generation of the twodifferent types of image data. Because both configurations of FIGS. 4cand 4d use a same frame rate the first and second links of bothconfigurations are apt to use a same clock frequency. Again, the clockmay be internally generated or provided by a host.

In various embodiments a single sensor may support the operation of anyone or more of the configurations described above in FIGS. 4a though 4d. Any such sensor may additionally support the prior art configurationof either or both of FIGS. 2a and 2b (e.g., as a “legacy mode” option).

Another comment regarding implementations having more than two outputport concerns the fact that any combination of the approaches outlinedabove with respect to FIGS. 4a through 4d may be demonstrated by asingle image sensor. For example an image sensor having four outputports may be configured to have a first pair of output ports thatoperate as described above with respect to FIG. 4b and a second pair ofoutput ports that operate as described above with respect to FIG. 4 d.

FIGS. 5a through 5c show various design embodiments for an image sensor500 having multiple output ports 513_1, 513_2 . . . 513_N where eachoutput port is capable of being separately configured to transmit itsown unique data stream. Each of the embodiments of FIGS. 5a through 5cshow separate datapaths emanating from a pixel array 501 to represent,e.g., a pixel array design having different types of pixels (e.g., RGB,auto-focus and time-of-flight) that provide their detected signalsseparately from one another. As described below, the separate channelsfrom the pixel array provide first and second (and up to N) streams forthe first and second (and up to N) output ports, respectively.

Where alternative implementations can exist having a single stream ofinformation from a pixel array 501 that is used to feed more than oneoutput port (such as when the second stream is a subset of the firststream, or the first and second streams alternatively transmit differentframe sections of a same stream), such implementations will be noted.

Each of the embodiments of FIGS. 5a through 5c also includeanalog-to-digital conversion (ADC) circuitry 502. The ADC circuitry isresponsible for converting the analog signals generated from the pixelsin the pixel array to multi-bit digital pixel values. As will bediscussed in more detail below, some sensor embodiments may partitionthe ADC circuitry in view of the different types of streams emanatingfrom the pixel array while other sensor embodiments may not partitionthe ADC circuitry. A wide range of ADC architectural granularities forprocessing a stream of a particular type (e.g., RGB, IR, Z) are alsopossible. Some possible ADC architectural granularities are: one ADC perpixel array, one ADC per a set of pixel array columns, one ADC per pixelarray column, one ADC per pixel cluster and one ADC per pixel. Smallergranularities (fewer pixels per ADC) correspond to a greaterarchitectural potential for more parallel/concurrent ADC activity andcorrespondingly larger frames and/or faster frame rates.

Each of the embodiments of FIGS. 5a through 5c also includes timing andcontrol circuitry 503. Timing and control circuitry 503 is responsiblefor providing appropriate timing and control signals within the sensor500 to one or more of the pixel array 501, the ADC circuitry 502 theoutput ports 513_1, 513_2 , . . . 513_N and other circuits along thedatapath for the streams. FIGS. 5a through 5c also show the optionalinclusion of analog pre-processing circuitry 551 (“before” the ADCcircuitry 502) and optional inclusion of digital signal processingcircuitry 552 (“after” the ADC circuitry 502). Analog pre-processingcircuitry 551 performs one or more various low level (e.g., analog)processing tasks between the pixel array 501 and the ADC 502 (e.g.,correlated double sampling, amplification, binning, black level control,etc.). Digital signal processing circuitry 552 performs one or morevarious digital signal processing tasks on the digital ADC output values(e.g., bad pixel replacement, time-of-flight signal processing, whitebalance, filtering, etc.).

As will be described in more detail below, the timing at which the pixelarray 501 generates the different types of image signals, the timing atwhich the ADC circuitry 502 converts the different image signals intodigital data and the timing and framing structure at which the digitaldata is transmitted from its corresponding output port may vary fromembodiment to embodiment and is apt to at least partially be a functionof the characteristics of the image data streams that the output ports513_1, 513_2 have been configured to provide. The timing and controlcircuitry 503 may also generate synchronization signals, such as blankfields, frame valid signals or other types of output signals that thereceiving side uses to comprehend the framing structure that the digitalpixels are being formatted according to.

Each of the embodiments of FIGS. 5a through 5c may also includeconfiguration register space 506. Notably, there may be separateconfiguration register space 506_1, 506_2, . . . 506_N dedicated to eachof the output ports 513_1, 513_2, . . . 513_N. As such, each of theoutput ports 513_1, 513_2 . . . 513_N can be separately configured,e.g., for different frame sizes and/or different frame rates. Otherpossible configuration options are discussed in more detail below. Theconfiguration register space 506_1, 506_2, . . . 506_N is coupled to thetiming and control circuitry 503 so that the timing and controlcircuitry 503 can implement the correct timing and structuring of thedata from the pixel array 501 to the output ports 513_1, 513_2, . . .513_N in view of the manner in which the output ports have beenconfigured.

FIG. 5a shows a first sensor embodiment in which different types ofimage signals (e.g., RGB and Z) that emanate from a pixel array 501 aare multiplexed into an ADC circuit 502 a. Individual ADC cells withinthe ADC circuit 502 a therefore covert both types of analog signal intodigital form. Here, the pixel array 501 a is assumed to alternatebetween providing images of a first type and images of a second type.

After analog-to-digital conversion is performed, digital pixels for bothtypes of images are multiplexed to the correct output port. For example,if visible images are being streamed on the first port 513_1 a and depthimages are being streamed on the second port 513_2 a, digital RGB pixelsfrom the ADC circuit 502 a are multiplexed to the first port 513_1 a anddigital Z pixels from the ADC are multiplexed to the second port 513_2a. The multiplexing of the different image types into the ADC circuit502 a and the alternating of the ADC cells between converting RGBsignals and converting Z signals causes the design of FIG. 5a tonaturally support either of embodiments of FIGS. 4b and 4d in whichframes are alternatively transmitted from the different ports. Theembodiment of FIG. 5a may include buffers (not shown) along thedatapath(s) to temporarily queue data (e.g., for formatting purposes).

FIG. 5b shows the circuit of FIG. 5a enhanced to include memory buffers508, 509, . . . 510 to support the simultaneous transmission of framesas depicted in either of FIGS. 4a and 4c . Here, for example, byclocking the pixel array 501 b and ADC circuit 502 b fast enough to loadframes or portions of frames into each of buffers 508, 509, . . . 510 ata rate that is equal to or greater than the frame rate of theirrespective ports, the ports 513_1 b, 513_2 b, . . . 513 _Nb cansimultaneously transmit frames. Additionally, the embodiment of FIG. 5bmay include respective bypass paths (not shown) that circumvent each ofthe buffers 508, 509, . . . 510 to enable any of the output ports ofFIG. 5b , when the bypass paths are utilized, to operate like theembodiment of FIG. 5a . According to this approach, the circuit of FIG.5b is capable of supporting all four scenarios depicted in FIGS. 4athrough 4 d.

FIG. 5c shows another sensor design in which the ADC circuit 502 c islogically partitioned such the some ADC cells convert signals of a firsttype of image while other ADC cells convert signals of a second type ofimage. The partitioned ADC circuit 502 c may be realized, for instance,by incorporating more ADC cells into the sensor than either of thedesigns of FIGS. 5a and 5b . With the design of FIG. 5c , if the pixelarray 501 c is able to simultaneously detect and generate analog signalsfor different images, simultaneous transmission of frames as observedwith respect to FIGS. 4a and 4b naturally follows. Alternating frametransmission, as depicted in FIGS. 4b and 4c can be achieved bycontrolling the pixel array to generate image signals in an alternatingfashion as between the two types of images or, if the pixel arraysimultaneously presents the different types of image data, a buffer maybe used on any datapath to hold the ADC output for its type of image sothat it can be transmitted after an image(s) of other type(s) have beentransmitted.

It is pertinent to point out that as the image sensor architectures ofFIGS. 5a, 5b and 5b depict N output ports it is understood that thereideally exists N respective image signal processors on the receivingside of the output ports. Some of those image signal processors may be,e.g., through use of data multiplexers, utilized with other cameraspresent in the system.

It is pertinent to point out that register control space for aparticular output port may accept configuration information for, and thetiming and control circuitry may be designed to support in response, anumber of different image sensing techniques and formats. Some examplesinclude setting a frame size, setting a frame rate, setting a specificexposure time (which establishes how long pixels are to be enabled tosense incident light), setting a specific window position (which definesa center for a set of pixels to actually use for image generation);setting a specific window size (which establishes a perimeter of pixelson the surface of the sensor within which the image is taken), setting asnapshot/still frame mode (which corresponds to the taking of a singlepicture rather than a continuous stream of images) vs. a streaming mode,setting a preview capture mode (which is typically a lower resolutionmode often with interleaved frames at different focus positions of acamera lens to, e.g., permit a user to quickly determine a proper amountof “zoom-in” or “zoom-out” prior to taking a picture), setting askipping mode (which reduces the resolution of an image by reading outpixels only from, e.g., every other row within the pixel array), settinga binning mode (which reduces the resolution of an image by combiningread-outs of more than one pixel into a single pixel value), setting apixel depth (the number of bits used to digitally represent a pixel'svalue). The extent to which a setting for one port for any of theseparameters might affect the available settings for another port for anyof these parameters is a matter of design choice depending on howsophisticated/complicated the timing and control circuitry is desired tobe.

It is also pertinent to point out that although the visible image pixelsdiscussed above have been described as RGB pixels (red, green, blue),other embodiments may use different colored pixel schemes (e.g., Cyan,Magenta and Yellow, or panchromatic) in various spatial arrangements.

FIG. 6 shows a method that can be performed by the image sensordescribed above and the system that it is integrated into. As observedin FIG. 6 the sensor accepts configuration information for a first imageport for a first image type 601. The sensor also accepts configurationinformation for a second image port of the image sensor for a secondimage type where the first and second image types are different 602. Thesensor generates a plurality of analog signals from a pixel array andconverts the analog signals into digital pixel values 603. The sensoralso transmits some of the digital pixels from the first output port ofthe sensor and transmits others of the digital pixels from the secondoutput port of the sensor 604.

FIG. 7 shows a depiction of an exemplary computing system 700 such as apersonal computing system (e.g., desktop or laptop) or a mobile orhandheld computing system such as a tablet device or smartphone. Asobserved in FIG. 7, the basic computing system may include a centralprocessing unit 701 (which may include, e.g., a plurality of generalpurpose processing cores) and a main memory controller 717 disposed onan applications processor or multi-core processor 750, system memory702, a display 703 (e.g., touchscreen, LCD, OLED), a local wiredpoint-to-point link (e.g., USB) interface 704, various network I/Ofunctions 705 (such as an Ethernet interface and/or cellular modemsubsystem), a wireless local area network (e.g., WiFi) interface 706, awireless point-to-point link (e.g., Bluetooth) interface 707 and aGlobal Positioning System interface 708, various sensors 709_1 through709_N, a first camera 710_1 and a second camera 710_2, a battery 711, apower management control unit 712, a speaker and microphone 713 and anaudio coder/decoder 714.

An applications processor or multi-core processor 750 may include one ormore general purpose processing cores 715 within its CPU 401, one ormore graphical processing units 716, a main memory controller 717, anI/O control function 718 and an appropriate number of image signalprocessor pipelines 719. The general purpose processing cores 715typically execute the operating system and application software of thecomputing system. The graphics processing units 716 typically executegraphics intensive functions to, e.g., generate graphics informationthat is presented on the display 703. The memory control function 717interfaces with the system memory 702. The image signal processingpipelines 719 receive image information from the camera and process theraw image information for downstream uses. The power management controlunit 712 generally controls the power consumption of the system 700.

Each of the touchscreen display 703, the communication interfaces704-707, the GPS interface 708, the sensors 709, the camera 710, and thespeaker/microphone codec 713, 714 all can be viewed as various forms ofI/O (input and/or output) relative to the overall computing systemincluding, where appropriate, an integrated peripheral device as well(e.g., the one or more cameras 710). Depending on implementation,various ones of these I/O components may be integrated on theapplications processor/multi-core processor 750 or may be located offthe die or outside the package of the applications processor/multi-coreprocessor 750.

As observed in FIG. 7, the first camera 710_1 includes an image sensor761 having at least two output ports, and, the second camera 710_2includes an image sensor 762 having at least two output ports. Each ofthe output ports are respectively coupled to their own image signalprocessing pipeline 766-769 within the applications processor. Thecoupling may be direct, or, “logical”. In the case of direct couplingthe output ports send their respective information to an image signalprocessor directly. In the case of “logical” coupling the coupling maybe more indirect. For example, each of the output ports may direct theiroutput streams to a region of system memory (e.g., by a direct memoryaccess (DMA) through the processor), and, their assigned image signalprocessing pipeline is provided with the image data from the correctregion.

Both the image signal processing pipelines 766-769 may be configuredwith appropriate register space (e.g., within the applications processorfor the image signal processing pipelines and within the image sensorfor the output ports) by software of firmware including operating systemand/or device driver software and/or firmware.

As such, embodiments of the invention may include various processes asset forth above. The processes may be embodied in machine-executableinstructions. The instructions can be used to cause a general-purpose orspecial-purpose processor to perform certain processes. Alternatively,these processes may be performed by specific hardware components thatcontain hardwired logic for performing the processes, or by anycombination of programmable computer components and custom hardwarecomponents.

Elements of the present invention may also be provided as amachine-readable medium for storing the machine-executable instructions.The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, floppydiskettes, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magneto-optical disks, FLASHmemory, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards,propagation media or other type of media/machine-readable mediumsuitable for storing electronic instructions. For example, the presentinvention may be downloaded as a computer program which may betransferred from a remote computer (e.g., a server) to a requestingcomputer (e.g., a client) by way of data signals embodied in a carrierwave or other propagation medium via a communication link (e.g., a modemor network connection).

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described withreference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however,be evident that various modifications and changes may be made theretowithout departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention asset forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are,accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictivesense.

1. An apparatus, comprising: an image sensor having a first output portand a second output port, the first output port to transmit a firstimage stream concurrently with a second image stream transmitted fromthe second output port.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a pixelarray of the image sensor includes visible pixels and time-of-flightpixels.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes firstconfiguration register space for the first output port and includessecond configuration register space for the second output port.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 3 wherein each of the first configuration registerspace and the second configuration register space accept one or more ofthe following configuration parameters: frame size; frame rate; exposuretime; window size; window position; still frame vs. still mode; skippingmode; binning mode; gain; pixel depth.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the image sensor includes a mode in which frames of the firstimage stream are transmitted simultaneously with frames of the secondmode.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the image sensor includes amode in which frames of the first image stream are transmittedalternatively with frames of the second image stream.
 7. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein the image sensor supports a mode in which frames ofthe first image stream are transmitted at a different frame rate thanframes of the second image stream.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe image sensor supports a mode in which frames of the first imagestream are transmitted at a same frame rate as frames of the secondimage stream.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the image sensorsupports a mode in which a size of frames of the first image stream isdifferent than a size of frames of the second image stream.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the image sensor supports a mode in whichthe first image stream is of a different type than the second imagestream.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the different types ofstreams are chosen from any two of the following: a video stream; atime-of-flight stream; an infra-red stream; an auto-focus stream; aspatially varying exposure stream.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe image sensor has more than two output ports.
 13. A method performedby an image sensor, comprising: accepting configuration information fora first image port of an image sensor for a first image type; acceptingconfiguration information for a second image port of the image sensorfor a second image type, the first image type being different than thesecond image type; generating a plurality of analog signals from a pixelarray; converting the analog signals into digital pixel values;transmitting some of the digital pixels from the first output port;transmitting others of the digital pixels from the second output port.14. The method of claim 13 wherein a first frame rate for the firstimage type is different than a second frame rate for the second imagetype.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein frames transmitted from thefirst output port are transmitted simultaneously with frames transmittedfrom the second output port.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein a firstframe rate for the first image type is the same as a second frame ratefor the second image type.
 17. The method of claim 13 wherein framestransmitted from the first output port are transmitted alternativelywith frames transmitted from the second output port.
 18. A computingsystem, comprising: a processor; a memory controller coupled to a systemmemory; a first image signal processing pipeline; a second image signalprocessing pipeline; and, an image sensor comprising a first output portthat is coupled to the first image signal processing pipeline and asecond output port that is coupled to the second image signal processingpipeline.
 19. The computing system of claim 18 in which the first outputport is logically coupled to the first image signal processing pipelinethrough a direct-memory-access arrangement.
 20. The computing system ofclaim 18 wherein the image sensor comprises visible light pixels andtime-of-flight pixels.
 21. The computing system of claim 18 wherein thecomputing system is a mobile device and the processor is an applicationsprocessor.
 22. The computing system of claim 21 wherein the first imagesignal processing pipeline and the second image signal processingpipeline are implemented on the applications processor.
 23. Thecomputing system of claim 18 wherein the image sensor supports a mode inwhich the first image stream is of a different type than the secondimage stream.
 24. The computing system of claim 23 wherein the differenttypes of streams are chosen from any two of the following: a videostream; a time-of-flight stream; an infra-red stream; an auto-focusstream; a spatially varying exposure stream.
 25. The computing system ofclaim 18 wherein the image sensor has more than two output ports.